The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up their 2024 training camp and are not preparing for their Arrowhead Debut on Saturday against the Detroit Lions. Yet, the bigger prize is the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens in three weeks.
Officially, the Chiefs training camp is over. Players will scatter to get back home, see their families, and get ready for Saturday’s preseason game at home against the Detroit Lions. We’ll talk more about this game tomorrow on the ‘Four Guys In A Bar’ Podcast and my preview at ChiefsBlitz.com on Friday.
Heading into camp, the Kansas City Chiefs had very few question marks. They have depth at every position, and it looks like they’ve solved their left tackle situation, at least for now. BYU rookie Kingsley Suamataia has beaten out Wayna Morris for the starting gig. Though he’s raw, he has significant talent and is a mauler.
The Chiefs’ receiving crew took a hit with Hollywood Brown’s injury, but it’s possible he could make a return for the home opener against his old team, the Ravens. You know he’s circled that game since he signed as a free agent in March.
The silver lining with Brown and his quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, is that they’ve worked together the entire offseason, so they generally have a feel for one another, which should continue once he plays again.
On the flip side, the Chiefs have to thin the number of receivers, and it appears that often injured, Kadarius Toney might not make the final 53-man roster. At this stage, I’d give Skyy Moore and Mecole Hardman a better shot.
Still, his roster inclusion could depend on how well Nikko Remigio plays in the final preseason games. He was up and down against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but it was his first game back after injuring his ACL a year ago.
Justyn Ross has also been a pleasant surprise. He’s been the most consistent receiver in practice next to Xavier Worthy and Brown. If he will make the most of this opportunity, he’s in line to make the roster.
On defense, the injuries to Chris Jones and Justin Reid won’t impact their readiness for the season opener. The team has been cautious with both, but Reid did practice some this week. Fortunately, rookie Jaden Hicks has been stellar. His quick elevation from college player to the NFL has been the most impressive aspect of his brief journey in a Chiefs uniform.
The injury to Reid has allowed him extensive practice time and the support of a coaching staff that feels confident he can become an instant playmaker for the defense. The Defensive Coordinator remains atop his game, and his willingness to put the best players on the field despite age or experience remains a testament to his teachings.
Over the last three weeks, the singular goal has been to ensure this team is ready for the regular season. The Chiefs struggled last year on offense, as we’ve noted all offseason, but you know they’ll be anxious to play more snaps Saturday against the Lions.
The Chiefs won’t have to travel again until week three, when they go to Atlanta to play the Falcons. So they’ll have plenty of time to prepare for the Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals a week later at Arrowhead.
It’s a one-game-at-a-time approach, even though the Three-Peat narrative has not quieted in and around the team or the NFL pundits predicting the likelihood the Chiefs can chase a record never achieved by any team.
That quest begins now!
